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Barrett Media’s final Top 20 show category for 2025 is Afternoon Shows. Program Directors get recognized on Friday. Sports Radio stations get acknowledged on Monday. To stay updated on all of the Top 20 Major and Mid Market Sports Radio lists and learn what lies ahead for News/Talk Radio, News TV and Music Radio, keep an eye on this website, our newsletters and X, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and/or Instagram. Once the Top 20 series is complete, I will record a video discussing the key takeaways from this year’s results. That video will be posted on the Barrett Media YouTube page. Be sure to subscribe to be notified once it’s live.
As you review these results, please remember that they represent the collective feedback shared by our industry voters. Barrett Media does not vote in this process. Our role is to assemble the group, collect the votes, and present the information.
Important Information
#1 – These results are based on 2025’s performance. 2026 changes have no effect on the voting.
#2 – We ask our voters to supply photos and logos to avoid headaches. Some comply, but most don’t. It forces us to spend a lot of time digging for images to highlight everyone. For that reason, there are no photo changes unless it involves a mistake. Thanks in advance for understanding.
#3 – Our Major Market executive panel consists of thirty six (36) program directors and corporate executives from radio’s top broadcasting companies. They include Audacy, iHeart, Cumulus, Beasley, Good Karma Brands, Bonneville, SiriusXM, ESPN Radio, FOX Sports Radio, Radio One, and a bunch of independently owned and operated radio stations. Our voting group is large because we want feedback from every part of the country. We also do that to assure the results don’t favor any one media group.
#4 – The criteria for our voters included the ear test, originality, multi-platform impact, ratings success, clearance (national shows) and industry buzz. Keep in mind, our voters live in different cities, work for different companies, have different tastes, and value certain factors higher than others. This is not a perfect system but it’s one we feel good about using to showcase the industry’s best.
#5 – A total of 34 shows were eligible for voting consideration in the Major Market Sports Radio Afternoon Shows category.
And the Winner Is…
98.5 The Sports Hub’s Felger & Mazz. This is their fifth win overall and the third straight year the show has reigned supreme. Congrats to Mike, Tony, Big Jim, James, and the entire crew on earning the industry’s support yet again.
I want to thank Dylan Barrett for creating the artwork, and each voter who participated in the process. Now without further delay, here are Barrett Media’s Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Afternoon Shows of 2025.
Additional Notes:
Felger & Mazz finished nineteen (19) points in front of The Valenti Show with Rico to notch the win. The Hub’s afternoon drive team tied with Valenti’s program for the most first place votes with eight (8).
Spots 21-25 belonged to The Drive with Stoerner & Hughley, WEEI Afternoons, Chris & Gwynn, Dirty Work with Copes & D Pop, and Chuck & Chernoff.
The closest contest saw D’Marco & Travis edge Hoch & Crowder by one (1) point.
Of the 34 shows to appear on submitted ballots, nine (9) received at least one 1st place vote.
BNM Top 20 of 2025 Remaining Schedule:
Friday February 6 = BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Program Directors of 2025
Monday February 9 = BSM Top 20 Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Stations of 2025
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
Jason Barrett is the Founder and CEO of Barrett Media. The company launched in September 2015 and has provided consulting services to America’s top audio and video brands, while simultaneously covering the media industry at BarrettMedia.com, becoming a daily destination for media professionals. Prior to Barrett Media, Jason built and programmed 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He was also the first sports programmer for SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, which later became 97.5 The Fanatic. Barrett also led 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY, and worked on-air and behind the scenes at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years at ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT producing ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ and ‘GameNight’. JB can be reached on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.